Cartier epitomizes creativity and individuality in jewelry design. The
175 objects featured in this book exemplify Cartier's inimitable talent
and represent milestones in twentieth-century design. These archetypes
of excellence are important benchmarks in the history of world jewelry,
and their relevance continues into the twenty-first century. The jeweled
objects in this book are reproduced at actual size, and are accompanied
by illustrations and detailed descriptions from Cartier's vast archives
in London, New York, and Paris. Six essays cover a broad range of topics
from Cartier's colorful history, including the influence of the Ballets
Russes on Cartier's forward-looking designs of 1910, the jeweler's
extraordinary technical and design prowess, and the important clients
and collectors who wore Cartier's most exquisite creations. This book
features ingenious pieces that reveal how Cartier--by setting new
aesthetic, ornamental, technical, and stylistic trends--is a pioneer in
the field of jewelry design. This catalog is an important reference for
collectors, and includes previously unpublished photographs.